About Us

First by tourists in small groups, and later by larger groups in kayaks with Alltidhults Fritidsgård as a camp site. Many thought it was a nice sight to see these flatter kayaks glide over the waters of Lake Hala. Then Eve Peter and Evert Eriksson began to think about forming a canoe section within Olofströms Fritidsklubb.

In the summer of 1974 Eve announced in the newspapers that a couple of Skåne’s canoe leaders Karl-Gustav Karlsson, “KanotKalle” and Karl Gustav Persson, “Eskimo Gusten” would come to Olofström and Halens Camping to introduce kayaking. So happened a nice Sunday with a lot of interested.
A board was formed with Mats Holmqvist as chairman, Ing-Mari Svensson as secretary and Algon Andersson as treasurer.

Canoes, mainly Canadians, were procured with the help of Trygg-Hansa, who has been involved in the so-called “Canoe wave” that would increase interest in tourist canoeing. The government, through “Youth Minister” Camilla Odnoff, also contributed funds to the purchase of canoes.

Many young people went to Halen. The former janitor’s residence and old changing room made Olofströmmunicipality available to the section. The young people who joined the canoe section were helped by their parents and other adults to make the premises useful.

The canoe fleet was expanded more and more and a small rental business was started, it gave the section income to other activities. Preparation of the dance hall before and after dances, care of jogging loop between L. Holje and Halen were other activities that gave the section income.

Kanotcentralen is today one of Olofström’s most visited tourist destinations and an important engine for the tourism industry in Olofström, the business grew so much that the main board decided in 2010 to place the operation of Kanotcentralen in a separate company Olofströms Fritidsklubb Kanotcentralen AB https://www.halenkanot.com and run under the name Halenkanot, Per-Åke Persson, Allan Johansson and Ferens Mora were chosen to start up the business in the company.
The main board appoints 5 members to lead the business together with 5 -6 seasonal employees over the summer.

Today, the Leisure Club’s canoe and exercise sections share premises with https://www.halenkanot.com
The canoe center is beautifully located at Olofströms Fritidsområde, Halens Camping, (My Camping) Nature Reserve Halen, Pieboda Nature Reserve.